MATT GUIDERA SUSPENDED BY NHRA

NHRA Hands Out 1st Suspension for Drug Test Violation
Posted Sep 06, 2009 9:28AM By Holly Cain (RSS feed)

The National Hot Rod Association has suspended Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt Guidera, 39, for one year after ruling he violated drug testing procedure this weekend at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park outside Indianapolis.

The 39-year old didn't test positive for a banned substance, but rather did not follow rules to take the test. He is the first competitor in one of the four professional classes -- Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle -- to be suspended under the 10-year old policy.

Under the NHRA's random drug testing format, once a racer is notified of the test, he/she has 24 hours to show up at a designated independent testing facility set-up on the grounds of that week's racing venue. According to a NHRA news release on Saturday, Guidera "failed to comply with the NHRA's drug testing policy within the required 24-hour time period."

Guidera, a four-time winner in five full time seasons, has been disqualified from this weekend's Mac Tools U.S. Nationals -- drag racing's version of the Indy 500 -- but will retain his current championship points and can appeal the suspension. He was ranked seventh in the standings entering the weekend and had qualified for the Countdown to the Championship playoff format.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Matt Guidea of California, drives the Mohegan Sun Motorcycle in the Pro Motorcycle division.

He claimed in an interview, that he waited to the twenty third (23) hour to go for the test. He claimed, he just couldn't perform enough for the test. Since when, if you show up, doesn't someone give you enough time to allegedly urinate? For this you get suspended for one (1) year?

Why did he wait to twenty third hour? He said he passed all his drug tests in the past, and he was willing to complete this one. Matt said he has always played by the rules and played fairly.

It seems like it was a bad day for his sponsor, the Mohegan Sun. It seems like it was a bad day for Matt Guidera. Matt Guidera intends to appeal his suspension. What do you think?

THESE ARE THE OPINIONS OF BROKENWING